“Legends never die, and Mac Miller, not was, but is a whole legend.”

Anderson .Paak graced the stage at the 2018 BET Hip-Hop Awards Tuesday night to pay tribute to the late Mac Miller.

Wearing a t-shirt with a printed image of Mac’s last album, Swimming, the musician spoke on how how Miller empowered a new wave of independent artists.

“Legends never die. Legends never die, and Mac Miller not was, but is a whole legend,” he said, adding that he was “responsible for putting on so many artists. He not only influenced me but a whole generation of new, creative, independent artists.”

“Mac Miller was a humble rock star,” he continued, adding, “he was a rapper’s rapper, he was an actor, a comedian, a musical genius, a heartthrob. Mac Miller was a brother, he was my friend. I loved him and I still love him.”

Anderson .Paak is set to perform at a benefit concert on October 31st at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre. The show, intended to raise money for the Mac Miller Circles Fund, is also slated to include performances by Chance The Rapper, Travis Scott, Action Bronson, Earl Sweatshirt, J.I.D, Vince Staples, Ty Dolla $ign, and more.